The Dean of the College of Education and Administrative and Technical Sciences, Prof. Waleed Zubari, has announced the opening of registration for the 10th cohort of the United Nations University Professional Diploma in Integrated Water Resources Management for the academic year 2024/2025. This esteemed programme is conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Water Learning Centre (UN WLC) in the Arab Region at AGU and United Nations University-Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).

Prof. Zubari indicated that this 10-month programme aims to enhance participants' capabilities in contemporary principles and applications of water resources management. The curriculum adopts an integrated approach, training specialists in the methods of integrated water resources management, comprising 10 training modules equivalent to 250 hours. These modules have been developed at AGU in conjunction with the University of Waterloo in Canada, tailored to align with the specific needs of the Arab region, utilising relevant examples and case studies. 

Moreover, Prof. Zubari emphasised that the programme will be delivered by a distinguished team of university faculty and visiting professors, encompassing all pertinent aspects of technical, economic, social and environmental water resources management. Graduates who successfully complete this diploma will become eligible for direct entry into the Master's programme in Water Resources Management at the university.

Prof. Zubari further noted that registration will remain open until early October. He explained that the programme is designed for a dual-mode of learning, requiring participants to attend AGU for brief periods at the start and conclusion of the course for examinations and consultations with supervisors. The remainder of the programme will predominantly utilise remote e-learning methodologies, recognising the constraints faced by professionals in the water sector who may not be able to fully commit their time to training and studies.

The Dean also highlighted that the 10 modules within the programme address critical aspects of planning and integrated water resources management, focusing on key issues, challenges, and proposed solutions for sustainable water management in the Arab region. This programme is specifically aimed at professionals engaged in traditional water sectors (surface and groundwater) and non-traditional sectors (desalinated water and wastewater), along with related sectors such as agriculture, energy, industry and the environment across the Arab countries.

It is noteworthy that the UN WLC in the Arab Region at AGU offers several scholarships for study and training in this programme, in collaboration with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the UNESCO office in Cairo for young professionals from low-income Arab countries, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) for Kuwaiti students, and the Gulf Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) for young members of the association.

Interested individuals are encouraged to download and complete the application form available on the centre’s website at AGU: https://www.agu.edu.bh/en/page/un-water-learning-center or to contact the centre via email at wlc@agu.edu.bh.